Work on University Boulevard to end before fall classes begin

Construction on University Boulevard, which has closed one lane between 14th Street and 15th Street, will be completed before classes begin Aug. 25.

Greg Parsons, assistant vice president for facilities planning, said Alabama Power is installing a new electrical ductbank in the sidewalk from 15th Street to the west side of 14th Street.

"This is part of a larger project by APCO to improve power reliability to campus by switching load demands among several substations in the area," Parsons said. "No buildings will be affected during construction."

Parsons said the lane will be closed 8a.m.-4 p.m. for the safety of the public and to enable work to proceed safely. Off-duty city police officers will supervise the lane closure and be on-site during the entire construction process. Signage is in place along University Boulevard between 13th and 14th streets indicating the right lane is closed ahead.

Another project, scheduled to be completed prior to fall classes, will install a crossing at 13th Street and will close lanes of the boulevard. More work is expected in the fall.

"Additional work will be required on the west side of 13th Street from University Boulevard to the APCO substation and the west side of 14th Street from University Boulevard to approximately the south end of Heritage Hall and across President's Park to the west," Parsons said.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held 10 a.m. for a new building to house the Collat School of Business and Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and become the cornerstone for the city's new innovation and entrepreneurship district.

Beginning Oct. 10, the pedestrian bridge connecting the Lister Hill Library to the School of Nursing will be closed due to construction on the school. The bridge and SON plaza will remain closed until the project is completed in June 2018. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the crosswalks at 16th or 18th streets as alternate routes.

UAB Parking & Transportation Services is hosting several public events to hear opinions about riding, driving, pedaling and parking on campus and to listen to ideas for improvement. These are part of a campuswide parking and transportation study UAB will be conducting through summer.

The UA System Board of Trustees approved the construction of BBVA Compass Field for UAB Men’s and Women’s Soccer. Located south of University Boulevard just east of I-65, the field — to be ready by fall 2015 — will be the first impression visitors encounter as they enter campus from I-65.

Phase I planning will proceed for the new Collat School of Business building, which also will house the B.L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It will provide multidimensional learning and collaborative spaces, plus labs for behavioral research and sales presentations, study rooms and more.

Alabama Power's work to improve power reliability for the campus, which has closed one lane between 14th Street and 15th Street on University Boulevard, will be finished before classes begin in the fall.